Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and everything related is (c) Kazuki Takahashi
Legacy of Kain characters and everything related is (c) Crystal Dynamics and Silicon Knights.




Yugi was awake now, the heat from the fire had him up. It wasn't enough to knock him out, but it did keep him from passing out. The flames weren't near him, but they had consumed the corpse in the other cell. On top of the musty smell now Yugi had to put up with burning hair and flesh as well as the smell of the blood fall. He thought he heard voices, arguing at that. They were still a ways off, he thought they might be demons as a few had wandered through when he was first brought down. Kain killed them and shoved their corpses in other cells, those too burned in the flames now. He had almost forgotten about them, he had other worries and dead demons weren't that high on the list. At least the smoke wasn't staying, there were enough open spaces above him that allowed the smoke to rise and clear out of the area. Still, it was an overpowering stench that hung in the air. He wanted to go home so bad, his heart skipped a beat as he was able to distinguish the voices. His yami and Bakura were arguing about something, the names of Sarah and Ryou were brought up before Yugi finally passed out. His thoughts being that something had happen to them.

"How on earth can you stand the smell of burning flesh?" Yami spat as he covered his nose and mouth.
"It's an acquired thing, really," Bakura chuckled.
"It had better just be demons burning..." Yami said dangerously.
"YUGI!" Sarah screamed as she pointed madly to the cell. The boy was dangling lifelessly, half his cell was gone and a thin trickle of blood began to run from the rocks above him. "Shit, we gotta move him," she announced as she scrambled over rubble and inched into the cell with him.
"And how do you plan to get him out?" Bakura snapped as she tugged on his chains. "Get out of there, I can pick the lock," he said sourly as he pulled on her hair.
"Hey! OW!" she yelled. "Alright, all you had to do was ask." She glared at him hard as she moved out of the way.
"Hurt one hair on his head..." Yami warned.
"You are in no position to make threats, Pharaoh," Bakura hissed as he pulled a thin metal device from a pouch he had in his pocket.
"Don't you dare tell me what I can and cannot do," Yami boomed.
"Catch," Bakura said simply as Yugi's arms came free and he tossed the boy by his collar. Sarah and Ryou dove for the boy and pulled him back just as half the ceiling in the cell gave way. Bakura was splashed with the liquid and howled in agony. With Yugi safe Sarah extended a hand to the Spirit, for once he gratefully accepted help as she pulled him out.
"You have to abandon the body! It's the only way, the infection is spreading too fast," she hissed as she removed the Ring before anything got on it. He glared at her once he fell to the ground and as she deftly dug through his pockets for the Eye. She handed both to Ryou, Ryou reluctantly put the Ring on. "Go," Sarah urged. She moved a lock of hair from his face as it twisted in pain. His left side was in horrible condition, the bone of his shoulder glinted dully in the fire and his own blood began to stain the dusty floor. "Bakura! If you don't accept Ryou as your host you will die!" she hissed. She got no reply from Yami, the other Spirit was busy trying to get Yugi to breath again. "Bakura," she said softly in his ear as he cried out in agony. "You are part of Ryou, I love you like I love him; despite what I've said earlier. Now go," she whispered. She pulled away to catch the bewildered look in the Spirit's eyes.
"You lie," he hissed. "I would know."
"You didn't get everything, there are some things I don't want to admit to myself," she said softly.
Bakura looked away quickly as his body vanished, Ryou gasped and held his chest before smiling a bit. "He made it, but he's tired. What did you say to him?"
Sarah simply shrugged and looked back to where Yami was cradling Yugi.
"There is but the barest thread of life in him. I need to become one with him, but our bond became so weak I don't know if I can open it again in time. I can't even enter his mind," the Spirit said quietly as he drew his smaller self close to him.
"Put the Puzzle around his neck too, I mean while it's still on you. Pull him up," the woman said as she kneeled beside him. Yami nodded and did so as Sarah placed Yugi's hand on the golden object. "Now put yours over his," she said as she stepped back. Yami complied and eventually the two figures became one, Yami hissed as Yugi's pain and weakness became his own. "We have to act quick, get out of here before I completely share his condition. He's dehydrated, he needs to go to the hospital when we get back," Yami announced as he moved up on shaky legs. Sarah and Ryou supported him as he gathered his magic and shifted them into the Spectral Realm of Nosgoth.

The trio jumped when a sluagh hissed at them from across a gap, satisfied that it couldn't get them Yami worked on opening a doorway to Domino, back in the Game Shop. He accomplished the task and collapsed in exhaustion once through. Mr. Mutou had seen and rushed in towards them as Yami faded back into Yugi.
"Call an ambulance!" Sarah said. "Nosgoth did a number on him," she hissed as Ryou let her take the boy.
"You could use a doctor too," the elder Mutou said as he went for the phone.
"How the hell do we explain this?" She asked.
"Yugi had wandered off and got lost somewhere, you found him that way. As for your hand, you touched something and you can't remember what," Ryou said quietly as Mr. Mutou placed the call. "If they want exact location, we'll give them the docks from last night," he added.
"You come too, I saw you cringe and rub your chest when Bakura reentered. You've got his wounds don't you?"
"Yes, I think my left side is a bit burned as well. Feels like a sunburn," Ryou said as he moved the material of his shirt out of the way. "Looks like one too, alright we all need a doctor visit, heh."

Before the ambulance arrived Mr. Mutou was told of the story they had concocted, they only hoped they could retell it to Yugi before he was able to talk to others. Being that only one unit had been called and there were three persons in need of treatment, Mr. Mutou was instructed to drive behind them with the others as they made their way to the emergency room.

"Ah! You lucky bums, getting the same room," Sarah chuckled as she leaned on the doorway.
"You're all ready to go, I see," Ryou smiled.
"Hey, was just my hand. I was the least injured," she shrugged.
"How you doing kiddo?" She ruffled Yugi's hair.
The small teen smiled back warmly. "Thank you. You guys really came through for me."
"That's what friends are for," Ryou grinned.
"How about you mister? You look like a mummy," Sarah giggled at the bandages around Ryou's midsection and left shoulder.
"The burns were worse off than we thought, I've got at least a night here and Yugi's got three so they can make sure he's properly re-hydrated. I think it's safe to assume you'll be here till we can get you home," he bit his lip slightly.
"I can wait, I'm patient. Besides, a bit of time to relax and unwind from Nosgoth will do me good. I'm almost positive your folks will be in soon. I should probably wander out to the waiting room and let your grandpa know you're up, Yugi. Let you talk to him and maybe your folks will be in Ryou. Not sure they'd care for me so I'll stay out of the room."
"Oh, you don't have to. Dad will be able to talk to you, I'm sure he'd like to meet you," Ryou tried to convince her.
"No, it's alright," she smiled. "You've been through a lot, I'm sure you'll wanna be with them for a bit." With that she turned to leave.
"It's going to be hard on her," Yugi said quietly.
"Hmm?"
"Leaving, she doesn't want to go," the boy said as he turned to look at Ryou. Ryou nodded slowly and glanced back at the door.

"Mr. Mutou? Yugi's awake I just dropped by his and Ryou's room."
"Oh that's good, how's your hand dear?" he asked as he set the magazine aside. She held it up, the whole thing had been wrapped from fingers to wrist.
"Useless at the moment, but it's not hurting. I'm supposed to stop by a drug store and pick an over the counter pain killer for it. They're gonna send someone out to that warehouse, said whatever it was Ryou and I got into was unlike anything they'd ever seen." Sarah gave a guilty look at the end.
"Well they won't find a thing, so no worries."
"Na, that's why I'm worried. Don't need more questions springing up."
"You worry to much, sit down for a while," Mr. Mutou chuckled. "The others will be by soon, I had to deal with a rather angry Seto earlier. He said you kicked him in the face?"
"I... did? Oh dear," Sarah blinked.
"Don't remember? Perhaps he'll let it slide." The elder pat her on the shoulder as he headed back to the rooms.
The woman hadn't yet settled into a seat before she head someone call her name. Anzu stood alongside Jounouchi and Honda, all three were smiling.
"Hey! Great to see you back!" Anzu exclaimed before racing to give the woman a hug. "We got the call from Yugi's grandfather, he explained everything. We would have been here sooner, but," Anzu turned around and said something to Honda, the teen pulled a bag out and presented it to the girl. "We stopped to get you a few things."
"Oh, Anzu! Really now, I still feel bad about last time," Sarah sighed.
"Listen, this is a gift just like last time. We have a change of clothing for you as well as a small bottle of contact solution. Mr. Mutou said you were complaining about having them in for a few days straight. Have a few other things as well as stuff for the guys too." Anzu turned once Jou elbowed her. "Oh! Jou wants you to know that he picked the shirt out, I hope everything fits. I tried my best to remember your sizes on everything," the girl blushed a bit.
"Well, let's see what he picked. Half of me is scared and half of me is eager."
Anzu giggled and went for it. "Don't worry, he did good," she said as she pulled the black item out of the bag. Anzu unfolded it to show a simple copper dragon in front of a silver Celtic knot.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Sarah blinked. She took the shirt and held it up to her with a smile. "Looks good to me." She gave Jou the hug he looked like he was asking for.
"Honda picked out a body spray, he said he liked whatever you wore when we first met and figured you like it." Anzu dug it out and handed it to her.
"You actually found Hawaiian ginger," the woman raised a brow.
"I didn't, he did," she giggled. "He's got a nose for it."
"Well thank you," she said with a smile to the other teen. She gave him a quick hug and he beamed proudly before he received a thump in the chest from Jou. "I should let you go, the guys will want to see you. Thank you all so very much," she smiled.
"Any reason you're sitting out here?" Anzu asked once she sent the guys ahead.
"I figured I'd let everyone else get in there and spend time with the guys. Ryou's expecting his family and I'm not too comfortable meeting them for some reason."
"Oh, his family came in just before us. You didn't see the little girl that looked like him?"
"No, wasn't paying attention," Sarah replied with a shake of her head.
"Any reason you didn't want to meet them?"
"Well, I wasn't sure what to tell them about who I was. Yugi's grandfather has been so understanding, your parents think I'm someone else. I couldn't handle having to be known as someone else for them. Makes it harder to keep stories straight."
"Ah, I see. Well once they head out you want me to call you back?"
"Sure thing, I'll just be out here getting stares with my uber hand," she chuckled.
"Ah, and we can really sit down and talk about these wounds once his folks are gone."

I didn't feel like dealing with anyone so I just hung out in the back of Ryou's mind, let him interact with everyone. His family was over concerned for both him and Yugi, their constant prying was annoying. The lies the two made were entertaining however, they've been banned from the seafront. Like that would stop anyone? When Ryou's parents finally left after an hour of pointless chatter, the real story was finally told. Honestly, it stung to hear them speak so poorly of me. And she remained quiet, neither disagreeing nor agreeing with anything said. It was a bit frustrating but I think I understood her reasons for remaining quiet. After all I put her through it would seem insane for her to support me. She didn't even go into detail of when I had been inside her. I felt a pang of grief over that, it confused me as well. Why? That was all that came to mind when I though of what she had said to me in Nosgoth, what she was currently doing. It was probably meant to send me on a guilt trip, I refused to feel it and just shut everyone out as I went off into my own little world. She had lied, just to save me. I've heard of those that do it, never thought I'd see it happen to me.

"They said you could stay if you wanted."
"But, I'd feel awkward. You know nurses and such are going to be coming in and out to check on you two," the woman answered. Everyone else had left, she said she'd catch a ride back to the Game Shop on her own.
"But your wound is just as unique as Ryou's. I'd feel better if you did stay just in case something happened, you're already here," Yugi said as he turned violet eyes to the woman. She was getting a similar pleading look from Ryou.
"No! Anything but the puppy eyes!" she tried to duck behind the bag left by the others. She peeked over to see them still doing it. "Alright! Alright," she laughed. "I'll stay you goofballs."
"Thank you," Yugi chirped.
"You are a little rascal, you know that?" she shook a finger at him.
"I know," he grinned.
"You guys just want to spend all the time you can with me before I leave, right?"
"I know you're not going to come back, not after this," Ryou rolled his head to the side to see her.
She sighed and got up to sit between the beds. "I can't, look at what happened because I got involved. I can't live this way, I can't let you live this way. Guys, I love your company and that of the others but I'm just too dangerous. Not me per say, but what I know and what I can get to." She reached an arm out to either side to ruffle hair. It didn't work quite so well on Yugi, her bandaged hand having been the one that wound up near him. "I just can't stay, I can't allow anything else to happen because of me."
"You know, there are times where I think like that. About my situation, but I don't let it keep me down for long," Ryou said softly.
"And I'm proud of you, but our situations are different. Ryou, I'm from another world. Not another city, state or country. Another world. I know things that can be used against me and others, and in my world what I know is useless. It's hard because you've become friends. But as such I have to know when to keep my distance, so as not to cause you harm."
"But does it have to be running away?" Yugi asked.
"If I can't be found, I can't be used."
"I don't really want to think about this right now. I just want to enjoy the fact we're all back and safe. Where we belong," Ryou said.
Sarah started to say something but held her tongue. Instead she stood and walked to the window. "It's early evening but already I'm worn out. Hungry too, but more tired."
"Go get something to eat, we've got something coming eventually. You need to eat yourself," Yugi urged.
"I think I might, got a bit of cash in my pocket for that. I suppose I should phone your grandfather and let him know I'm staying," she said to Yugi.
"I'll call, no worries. He wanted to check up on me from time to time anyway," the teen shooed the woman off.
"First you want me to stay, then you chase me off. You're finicky aren't you?" she grinned.

"Something wrong?" the woman blinked away sleep in her eyes. The dark mixed with her contacts being out hardly allowed her to distinguish who had shook her. "Ryou?"
"No," Bakura said as he sat on the edge of her cot.
"What do you want?" she sighed and sat up.
"Why'd you do it?" he asked.
"Do what?"
"You know damned well," he snapped. "Why did you want to save me, after everything I put you through. What you saw I caused in Nosgoth."
"Because that's the way I am. Your life was at stake, was I expected to just sit back and do nothing? I couldn't have that living in the back of my mind forever. I couldn't deal with it. Besides, you never actually hurt me. I got slapped around a bit, but nothing extreme. You get the same kind of hits out of a friendly game of any contact sport," she shrugged.
"First of all, I did shot you with a crossbow. Second you don't seem to be the type for sports."
"I'm not, just used it as an example. Brother screwed his knee up a while back while playing football with friends, was the first thing that came to mind."
"Oh."
"Was that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes," he stopped for a moment. "Would you care to walk with me?"
"Now?" she asked.
"Not out of the building, they won't let us far. We'll probably catch hell for being in the halls."
"Right, I'm going blind so if you run off on me I will be very unhappy."
"I won't, honestly. Swear by the Ring I won't." He raised his right hand as he spoke.
"Alright then, I'm putting a lot of trust in you. You're leading the blind," she warned.
"Hrm, not exactly."
"Beg your pardon?"
"Nothing," he shook his head. "After you," he opened the door and waited for her to head out first. Still groggy she stumbled a bit.
"Wait, don't go too far. I'm going to lead you by arm."
"Ryou?"
"Yeah, I'm up too. It was actually me that wanted to get out and walk, but I didn't have the heart to wake you. I'm a bit miffed at my yami, but there's really nothing that I can do about it now." He linked his arm with hers and began to slowly drift from the room.
"You're not in pain, are you? I mean that's not causing you to miss sleep is it?"
"A little, but just when I've been on my back for too long. My right side doesn't like the fact I need to favor it right now. But the left is in no condition for me to lean on. Oh! I forgot to tell you what they did, due to the strange nature of the burn they actually peeled layers of skin away, to prevent it from spreading like it was. Still nothing like what Bakura faced, but it does smart."
"And my hand doesn't seem quite so bad anymore. But you know what?"
"Hmm?"
"I have to go home with it bandaged. And if time hasn't passed at all I'll have one hell of a time explaining it. If time has passed, well that'll be an even bigger headache."
"You could always--"
"Ryou. No. I can't, the longer I stay the more I don't want to leave. But I have to, and you aren't making it any easier on me," she sighed.
"I know, but-"
"No, don't say a word. I don't know if you were about to say what I'm thinking or not, but it can't happen. I shouldn't have let it happen, but I did."
"Bakura told me, it happened in Nosgoth?" She nodded silently. "Look, it's alright. Really, I-"
"Don't finish that, please. I don't want to know if you'd return the feeling or not. It can't happen, we're worlds apart. I want to know, but then again I don't. Not knowing makes it easier to walk away."
"Why, though? Why leave when you really don't want to? You don't have to. When we were in Kain's retreat you told me how you really had nothing to go back to, you'd pretty much lost it all. You didn't know where to go from there, what to do. You said you wanted a fresh start, you can get that here. We'd work something out, find somewhere for you to stay."
Sarah sighed and lowered her head before she stopped walking. "It's a really big step to take. How do I let others know I'm going? I can't just up and leave... it's hard. It would be hard if I said I was moving out and in with a friend from another state. This is so much bigger, even if my folks knew eventually I'd turn up missing and they'd be put in an awkward position. If I just left, that would leave a lot of questions and pain."
"Is anything really ever easy?"
"Ryou... please," she turned tear filled eyes up to him. He gave a faint smile and kissed her on the forehead.
"I'm sorry, I really should stop pressuring you to stay."
"It's sweet, really it is. You don't know how it makes me feel to know I'm wanted around here. Yugi's done the same thing in his own way. Last time I really connected with him, sort of developed a sister-brother tie. His grandfather's been great, so have Anzu and the guys. And then there's you," she smiled. "I came through as a fan girl with a silly little crush and then bam, that crush became something deeper thanks to what we went through together. I really should not have allowed myself to fall. But I did, and now I'm tearing myself up over it." She tried hard not to use the little four letter word, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"Last time you mentioned something about a boyfriend..." he trailed off when he noticed how she pulled away.
"We decided to back out of it. The distance was a huge factor. You know it's hard to make things work when you only have a week's worth of time together every four months or so. And," she laughed lightly. "I was older, older than you as well. Just by a little, but the thing is I'm sort of ready to really settle down. He wasn't ready, we said we could try again later once school was out of the way, but well," she laughed again. "Look what I went and did," she gave an awkward smile. Ryou nodded slowly and lowered his head, not sure what to do. Bakura ended up being the one to look up again.
"Listen up because this is the only pep talk anyone is ever getting out of me. It's your life, you do what you want. Do what calls to you loudest. Listen to whatever you want to listen to, your heart, your head, a broken bone that can forecast the weather. Whatever."
"I actually broke my tail bone back in 2000, acts up every now and then. Out of all the bones in the body to break, I break the one that can't be fixed or set."
"Smart ass," the Spirit chuckled. "You know what I meant."
"Yeah, I do. And thank you," she smiled.
"Ah, a real smile. Hardly ever see those when I'm around," he said before he relinquished his hold.
"How about we go back to the room and try to get some sleep? We're bound to have company tomorrow and that'll help stave off boredom."
"Agreed," Ryou nodded as he took her by the arm. "This hall, Sarah," he tried to suppress the laugh.
"I told you I was blind!"

She was right, they were there in the room not to long into the daylight hours. Sarah ducked out to shower, change and do laundry before she came back in time to see the twerps hook up a gaming system to the TV. This should be fun, watching them try to kick each others asses at various types of games. Some are better at certain types. The frantic button mashing during fighting games is really interesting, they win by pure luck and then flaunt so called 'leet mad skillz.' I need the entertainment at the moment, else I would be telling them just what I think of their frivolities.

Well, my plan to gain control of all the Items went belly up yet for some reason I don't find myself all that upset at the matter. Well I will, once I get to deal with Malik. Oh but Seto arrived first, and not for the usual cheerful visit. He was still upset by the kick, heh, those big heavy boots Sarah wears do pack quite a punch. I still think it was fun to get him, and how he can't do a thing in return because it had been a woman to deliver the blow. Watching him fume and point fingers is much more entertaining than I ever thought possible.

As my thoughts often do, I drifted away and zoned out. Nosgoth. What became of the land? I was halfway proud of my handiwork, to know I had caused so much by taking the blue fiend away. Yet if my plan had of been domination, removing him wouldn't have been the best idea. I would have ruled over a corpse, nothing there to command. Made me wonder just what kind of land the demons had been set loose to create and what that... giant eyeball squid had to do with anything. I'd have to ask Sarah, or better yet see if this twisted video game storyline existed in our world. Get first hand knowledge. I also wanted to look into those other portals she magically had a tie too. Yet, I couldn't since she's needed to much for travel to and from, should she die I'm stuck wherever until I can find a way back. And if Nosgoth was any indication, there could very well be worlds out there with beings who could destroy me. And then they'd take the Eye and Ring. I wonder how things would work here without them... quite an interesting dilemma, one that I never want to get first hand knowledge of.

Ryou got out of the hospital middle of the day, Yugi had a bit more time still. The following two days went by fairly quick. Ryou took Sarah out to see different things around Domino and the surrounding areas. Once Yugi was out of the hospital it was time to send her back. I had to admit, I was going to miss her. She was such a refreshing change to what I was normally around.

Ryou wasn't taking it as well as he seemed to be on the outside. He'd made a friend and losing one wasn't easy on him. He seemed to lose them quiet a bit. That would be my fault, but like I cared? I was sure that as time passed, whatever she did to soften me would wear off and I would be back to normal in no time. Until then, there was one thing I wanted to do. I had my own reasons for it and wasn't going to do it directly, but through Ryou. Just needed to give him a little push for it.


"Thought it would be easier this time but you know what, it's not?" Sarah tried to smile through the tears as she gave Jou a hug. Out of fairness Yami had taken everyone to the Shadow Realm so the magic there could destroy language barriers and all could understand the fair wells.
"Hey, we never thought we'd meet again and here we are," the blonde smiled back.
"But this time has to be the last, I can't come back. Not after what all happened, it's too much of a risk."
"Just remember, it was you who wanted to stay away. We've gone through a lot ourselves, no way would we push you away," Honda said while the woman hugged him.
"I know, and I thank you all for it. Believe me, if I thought that for a moment I wasn't such a huge risk then I'd be pushing to keep in contact."
"While we respect your wishes it isn't easy to just cut all ties. You're a friend, one of us. Pretending we never met doesn't seem like the right end to anything."
"Anzu, I know," Sarah sighed before she hugged the other girl. "But it's really for the best. Look where Yugi ended up because of me."
"I don't blame you and you know it," he said in protest. "It was a learning experience for me, I've got a whole new appreciation for life."
"As do I, kiddo," she smiled and stooped to hug him. "And you, you put a lot of trust in me back there," she said to Yami.
"You showed you were worthy of it. Like Yugi I've accepted you as family, couldn't be happier with having you as a sister." He smiled warmly as she gave him a bear hug. "Now, go give Ryou a long one," Yami whispered. "He looks like he could use one last hug."

The snowy-haired teen scuffed his foot along the ground as Sarah went through hugging everyone else. He really hadn't been listening to what was said, he could only think of what she said to him in the hospital. He wasn't quite sure what he was feeling, did he love her or was it just a strong friendship? He wasn't sure he could ever let himself love anyone, for fear of what his other half may do. He jumped when a hand was put under his chin to gently raise his head. Sarah gave him a gentle smile, her cheeks already wet from tears she had shed. More were in her eyes, he could see them sparkle as they threatened to fall. Without giving it a second thought he brought a hand up to wipe them away. She stepped forward and slipped her arms around him, carefully avoiding the wounds hidden by clothing. He returned the motion and kissed the top of her head as tears flowed freely from his eyes.
"I'm going to miss you," she said so softly he almost didn't hear.
"I know, and I you," he replied in as soft a tone.
"Ryou," she said as her voice cracked. "I'll put serious thought into the offer, but I want you to do the same. Everything would have to be set up before I came, I can't have people scramble to accommodate me on short notice." What she spoke of was for his ears only, it was quiet enough so the others would miss it.
"I will, and it warms my heart to hear you'll at least consider." He tilted her head up and did something no one saw coming; he leaned down and kissed her, she returned the action as slight murmurs spread through the group behind.

"No, that wasn't supposed to happen," Jou said with a growl. "That makes everything so much harder," he sighed. "They can't do that!"
Anzu backhanded him in the chest as she wiped a tear from her eye. "But it did happen, let it be. We're going to have to be there for him when this all ends." She caught Yami rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.
"I saw it begin, I should have been more active in reminding them how this would end."
"No, you did the right thing," Yugi shook his head. "It's just... going to have to run it's course for both of them."
"Am I the only one that finds it romantic? After all that faced them in the end they still went ahead with it? Live in the moment, I say." Honda seemed to shock the group with his insight, he shrugged and looked away from their bewildered stares.

Such an innocent action, but I marked her with it. The mark would remain with her forever, unlike the card which could be misplaced. I wasn't done with her yet, I wanted to be able to find her again should I require her... unique services. But not for a while, things needed time to get back to normal after this.

Sarah was the first to break the kiss when she moved to rest her head against Ryou's chest. She listened to his heart beat as she closed her eyes. The goodbyes were just about over, she had to leave them and the longer she lingered the harder it became. The taller and younger adult responded to her tighter hug with one of his own. She didn't want to let go and he wasn't going to let her if she wasn't willing.
"Don't take too long to think, time might make the feeling fade," Ryou said quietly.
"I'll try not to," she promised.
"Hey, come on. We can't stay here much longer, it's going to start sapping strength," Yami said as he nudged Ryou's shoulder. The teen nodded and let go of the woman, she hesitantly stepped away and made eye contact with him once more. Two sets of soft brown eyes met, both filled with tears and sorrow.
"I suppose you have your answer even if I didn't say it," Ryou smiled weakly.
"Yeah," she gave a nervous laugh in return. "Well," she sniffled and wiped her eyes. "I guess this is goodbye, then." She reached out to squeeze Ryou's hand before turning to the rest of the group. "Thanks again guys, for everything."
"Sarah, could you lend me a hand here? I can't find your home without you to verify," Yami said softly.
"Yeah, ok," she nodded and turned.

I took over as she stepped through, Ryou was about to collapse anyway. I wasn't about to have to deal with that, so I prevented it. He shrank away and cut himself off from me for the first time. The portal faded with her looking back through, though she couldn't see anything she knew where Ryou had been standing. Her eyes locked with mine, she'd never know it though. Once it had fully closed I pooled my magic and took myself out of the Shadow Realm, I left Yami to the twerps. Things could finally get back to some from of normal, I could forget about the lie she told me to save me. I walked out of the Game Shop and just kept going. It was over, then. Life would go on for all involved.




Yes, I went Mary-Sue there at the end. So sue me, but I thought it was kinda fitting. Not like it was a "happy" ending, though. It just kinda ends there, nothing else could happen.

This was a fun series to do, this and "Warped Reality" I mean. Was a first for me really, never tackled something like this before.

So with that I leave you and bid you farewell. Keep an eye on my profile if you like my writing, eventually I'll have more to post.